4. Notes: Supernatural Theme Flashcards
According to the notes, how prominent is the theme of the supernatural in Macbeth?
Very prominent, established from the beginning with the description of the witches as supernatural beings capable of magic and deception.
What warning does the theme of the supernatural present regarding those who interact with it?
It suggests that interfering with the supernatural can bring evil to those who meddle with it, and it would have been safer for Macbeth to ignore the witches.
How does the supernatural initially affect Macbeth’s belief?
Initially, he questions the motives of the supernatural, but when some of their predictions come true immediately, he starts to believe them.
What supernatural event does Macbeth experience before Duncan’s murder, and what does it suggest?
He hallucinates a dagger, suggesting that dark forces are at play and that the supernatural is beginning to influence his mind.
Explain the significance of Macbeth’s line about the dagger: “art thou not, fatal vision, sensible / To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but / A dagger of the mind?”
It indicates that the supernatural has entered his consciousness and is beginning to trick his senses. A “dagger of the mind” suggests it might be a figment of his imagination, influenced by supernatural forces.
What supernatural vision does Macbeth have later in the play, and why is it significant that no one else sees it?
He sees Banquo’s ghost. The fact that only Macbeth can see it suggests that the supernatural influence might be psychological or a manifestation of his guilt, and that believing in it can lead to negative consequences.
What realization does Macbeth have too late regarding his trust in the witches?
He realizes that his trust in the witches was false and that his fate was ultimately determined by his own actions, not entirely by supernatural forces.
How does Lady Macbeth embrace the supernatural? Provide a quote as an example.
Lady Macbeth actively calls upon the spirits to “unsex” her, as seen in the quote: “Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”
Explain the meaning of Lady Macbeth’s request to be “unsexed.”
It is an invitation for the spirit world to affect her by dismissing her feminine qualities of goodness and humanity so she can be ruthless and determined in her plan.
What does Lady Macbeth desire from the spirits, and how does this relate to her ambition?
She asks them to make her determined, brave, and fill her with “direst cruelty,” essentially wanting to adopt traditionally masculine traits to achieve her ambitious goals.
How does the supernatural affect Banquo differently from Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?
The witches appear to have no lasting effect on Banquo. His rational mind overcomes any supernatural influence, and he suspects the witches’ visions might be deceptive.
Why might Shakespeare have created Banquo as someone unaffected by the witches’ powers?
To highlight Macbeth’s fatal flaw – a susceptibility to the witches’ influence – and to contrast his character with Banquo’s more grounded nature.
How is the supernatural linked to the natural world in the play? Provide an example.
The supernatural is often associated with chaotic weather. For example, Duncan’s murder occurs on a very dark and starless night, using pathetic fallacy to link the supernatural with darkness and evil.
According to the notes, what is one of Shakespeare’s purposes in using the theme of the supernatural?
To show how dangerous it is to believe in witchcraft and the supernatural, and how it can be used to trick the mind into believing it is a real force.
How does the supernatural contribute to the overall atmosphere and dramatic effect of the play?
It creates a mystical and eerie effect on the characters, influencing their behavior, foreshadowing events, adding tension, and acting as signs of what is to come.
